Day 2

‘Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s…At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.’ 2 Chronicles 20: 15 & 22

I often question myself as to what my motivation is when I pray. Is prayer a habit or have I just got a list of things I want God to fix?

Jehosaphat’s prayer in 2 Chronicles 20 comes from an attitude of worship. Earlier in the story Jehosaphat nearly lost his life in battle because of his association with the evil king Ahab (2 Chronicles 18: 31). Yet, here is God calling him back into battle again against a great multitude. Has his attitude changed and has he learned from past experiences? Naturally Jehosaphat was terrified. However, this time his first response is to fast and pray. In his prayer he praises God for who He is and what He has done and he recognises that he himself has no idea what to do. Jehosaphat was leaving all direction in the hands of God. God then promised that they would see victory. The first time Jehosaphat relied on man and failed. Now he is relying on God. However, his reliance is not easy. God still asked the army to step out into battle. What amazes me about this story is the incredible faith Jehosaphat had to stand on the promises of God. He was a warrior. His first response would be to fight, but instead he put singers ahead of the army to worship God. This showed the partnership between God and us. The army had to show their complete reliance on God, but God still expected them to step out and face the battle. In the end up they didn’t even have to fight, God gave them the victory. What was their response? To worship. They worshipped at the scene and they worshipped as they marched home. Reading this story has taught me two things. First, to have a complete attitude of worship in all things. To worship before, during and after whatever circumstances come my way. Second, prayer involves a faith partnership. God will fight for us, but He expects us to stand in the battle as well. One of my favourite quotes is from Corrie Ten Boom who asks ‘Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tyre?’ It sets the challenge in asking do we seek God’s direction in every aspect of our lives or do we only go to Him as a last resort, when all else has failed?